Page:Three stories by Vítězslav Hálek (1886).pdf/263

 It was not, then, avariciousness; it was the relation between the peasant and the father who had pensioned himself off. For in other respects the Loykas had all the good qualities of the Czech peasant. They were honest, affectionate, and hospitable. From their farmstead no needy person ever departed without aid. If a beggar had gone through all the village and departed empty-handed from every house, he went to the Loykas’ certain of being relieved. If strolling fiddlers or harpers came to the village they stopped at the Loykas’ as at their own home, there they got their victuals, passed several nights, and no one ever enquired when they meant to be off. Ay! the Loykas’ had two chambers specially set apart in the courtyard next to the coachhouse, and these chambers were open all the year round; any one who had no roof of his own might take up his quarters in them.

And they were occupied all the year round, strolling musicians roosted there like birds of passage.

Tinkers tarried there till they had mended all the Loykas’ pots and pans and those of the whole of Frishetts.

The kalounkar (tape pedlar) who walked from Domazlik, and only occasionally went home for goods, dwelt in the Loykas’ chambers as though he were at home with all his family. Sometimes he was there several Sundays, got his victuals from Loyka’s kitchen, and had not even to say thank you